Dry-pipe valve



1. R. MEAuowcnoFT. DRY PIPE VALVE- APLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 19H?,

1,428,700, Pad sept. 12,1922.

z snsersfsnis 1.

Patented Sept. 12, 1922.

UNITED 'STATES -r 1,428,700 PATENT orifice.

JOHN n. MEAnowcRoFrr, or MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

vnav-Him, VALVE.

T 0 @ZZ whom 'it may concern: 4 Beit known th at I, JOHN ROBERT MEADOW- onori",l a. subject oi, the King of Great Britain, and resident of the city of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and `useful Improvements in Dry-Pipe Valves; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.' l

My invention relates particularly to dry pipe valves of the differential type, this type being distinguished by the employment of compressed air at relatively low pressure to retain the valve closed against a relatively high water pressure, this being accomplished by the presenting of a proportionately greater valve area to the air than to the water pressure, the function being to release the flow of water upon the air pressure being reduced by the lopening of a. sprinkler head for instance, thus causing that sprinkler head and any others in the same' system which may be opened to spray the water in which the headv or heads may be located.

The object of my invention is to render the opening operation of these valves more positive. Ay further object is to render the clapper more steady in its rocker arm and thereby cause it to eiiect a more `perfect closure.

Heretofore in valves of this type an ei;- tensive opening movement ofthe main valve was required to completelyv close the drip outlet valve with the result that a considerableY quantity olf' water was. allowed to run to waste thereby lowering the pressure.

It is one of theobjects oi? myinvention therefore7 to provide a construction in which the drip outletv valve is closed with a minimum opening movement of the main valve. To this end the invention may be said broadly to consist ofi the combination with a dillierential dry pipe valve of the type described, of a pivoted rocker arm; a counterweight and means whereby the counter- Weight exerts a leverage upon the rocker arm. The invention also consists of a lpivotal connection between the clapper proper and its rocker arm which, in combination with a concentric curved rib on the `under side of said rocker arm, insures that the valve proper is steadied and prevented from undue rocking thus augmenting its perfect seating; Another Jfeature of the invention consists ot a pivoted gravity tension pawl for the purpose of preventing` the valve Application led February 5y 1919. Serial No. 275,226.

from.returning toits -seat once it has cleft' the saine.

The invention also consists of the con struction, combination and particular arrangement o parts hereinafter described and pointed ont in. the claims.

. For full comprehension, however; oi' my invention, reference must be had to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters indicate the same parts,

and wherein:

`Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the centre of ymy improved valve, taken on line 1-1 Figure 5;

Figure-2 is an enlarged detail elevation partly in section of the valve 'forcontrolling f.

theldripoutlet;

Figure 3 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 4l is a plan viewof the gravity tension pawl;

Figure 5 is a .horizontal taken online Figure l; and

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 Figure l. I Tl'iefbody of'my improved valve, excepting for'its particular "design to accomodate my improved valvular mechanism, is practically tlie same as those heretofore known in that it has water inlet 2 and discharge 3, valve connection i for testing for water in the air systenmy air supply line connection 5, water valve seat 6, air valve seat 7, connection 8 to automatic alarm system, Lconnection Q for drip and draw off outlet l0. In addition to these 'features there is a rest or stop 20 to vlimit the opening movement ol" the valve, as will be presently shown.

s The main valve clapper is indicated -at 25 `and is provided with a concentric circular shoulder 26 corresponding in size and coinciding withthe water seat 6i and clamped in :its rim is a flat flexible valvular ring 27 preferably consisting of rubber'.- rlhe relative diameter ol: the vvalve clapper and the seaty 7 are such that the valve clapperiits within the seat and the valular ring bears upon the seat, the clamping ring 28 being extended radially to overhang the under edge of the valve clapper and press' the flexible ring uponits seat. This valve clapper 25,f is pivoted in a rocker arm 30 which also carries a counterweight 35, which is in pivotal relation with the rocker arm and free to move in one direction relatively thereto, andy when in normal position is seated in a rest frame 40 which is an integral part of the rocker arm andv exerts sectional view a leverage on the latter and tends to hold the valve clapper upon its seat.

This rocker arm consists of an arm 30 with a relatively heavyhub 31 by which is pivoted on an axle 32 carried by the casing,

The movement of this arm is limited by a lug 33 carrying a cushion 34 adapted to be engaged by the stop 20 when the valve clapper has moved to full open position. The counterweight is made in the form of two halt spheres and is mounted on an axle 36 in the upper end of a link 37, the other end of which works about an axle 38 between a pair of lugs 39 integrally formed with the hub 31 of the carrier. This link 37 is connected to the axle 36 between the members of the counterweight. The eye in the link through which the axle 36 is inserted is preferably of sul'liciently greater' diameter than the axle to permit the required play of the counterweight when the valve mechanism is in operation or being` reset after operation.'

The rest is in the form of a frame '40, the sides of which are spaced a suiiicient distance apart to accommodate the link7 while a ratchet arm 41 presents with the tra-.me a semi-annular form with tangential end, the arm having teeth 410 in `its outer edge', the counter-weight being seated in this frame.

The gravity tension pawl is preferably a casting'50 cored out to receive a lead loading filler 51 by which its head is weighted, its tail is forked., the prongs 52 of which are spread apart, as shown in Figure 4 for the purpose ot preventing any side rocking of thepawl on its axle and ensuring its perfect central alignment and proper engagement of its lip 56 with the ratchet teeth. The prongs 52 are journalled upon an axle 54 through eyes 55 of sufficiently larger diameter to permit a certain amount ot play, while the head of the pawl has a lip and the pivot point 54 is disposed in the centre line of the body of the pawl. This pawl and more particularly its'lip and the teeth of the ratchet arm are so relatively arranged that the pawl rests upon the end tooth of the ratchet arm without engaging it when the valve is in closed positioir'and engages one or the other of the teeth and prevents the valve clapper from closing back upon its seat, in the event of it being partially opened and then the openinglforce momentarily released.

The pivotal connection between the valve and rocker-arm consists of a stud 12 having a shoulder 13 and screw-threaded shank liv upon which the nut 15 is screwed. the shoulA der serving a `distance piece to enable. the nut to be screwed Ihome against it with-- outQbearing upon the arm 30 and thus a.l lowing a certain amountof oscillation between the valve plate and the rocker arm. The arm is of sufficient length to reach befJ yond the stud almost to the opposite periphery and the under side of the arm has a curved rib or boss 17. This curved rib or boss is concentric with the stud 12, and has the same radius as the free end of the arm which is correspondingly curved.; while a central boss 18 on the valve clapper is of a sufficient thickness to space the end oi the arm and the boss 17 slight-ly from the valve clapper. This formation tends to steady the valve clapper in its rocker arm and to ensure a perfect seating simultaneously ot the valve clapper over its whole seating area.

When the air holding the valve closed is reduced in pressure down to a predetermined point7 the valve will open. As it opens the rest iframe carries the counterweight over until its center of gravity passes the point at which it is pivoted to the rocker arm7 after which it falls over, the link boaring u 'Jon the lug 33 and the leverage thus broug t into action is thereby trans1n1tted to the rocker arm which supplements the iniiowing water pressure in throwing the' valve to full open position. As the counterweight rests in full normal position, in rest 10 and bears towards the valve clapper it tends to retain the latter closed.

In order to return the counterweight to its normal position in its rest trame after thev valve has operated` a pull rod is pivoted at one end to the axle 36 and passes through a guide preferably in the i'orm of a vertically elongated hole 71 in a lug 72 cast on the rest trame. This rod projects towards the hand hole T5 and is ot su'flicient length to accommodate the operation of the counterweight. rThe outer end ofthe rod has a T-handle 76.

The gravity check valve controlling the drip outlet 9 comprises a pair of levers 8O and S1 The lever 80 carries the valve proper and is of substantially bell-crank form the free end of one arm of which is comparatively short having a ball 82 formed integrally thereon., this ball overhanging the valve seat and being adapted to rest thereon and close the drip outlet when the main valve is opened beyond a predetermined extent. The valve seat is constituted by a bushing 83 screwed into the valve casing and havingan upwardly tapered bore 811 and a pair of lugs 8S between which the lever SO is it'ulcrumed. The other arm 85 of the bellcrank lever projects upwardly a distance sucient to overlap the lower end ot the lever 81 which is counterweighted as at 86. The latter lever is ulcrumed in a bracket 8T secured to the valve casing and its upper end projects across the path of the main valve clapper Jor the purpose of causing the lower end to engage the arm 85 and liftl the valve off its seat when the main valve clapper is moved to closed position. 1t will be noted that the points of lulcrum of the CIT of the lever.

levers are so Vpositioned. that a minimum opening movement of the main valve pro`- dunes a much greater tent of movement oie. the ball 8:2 and which latter movement is substantially in the axial line ot the valve seatl thereby ensuring' a uniform setting of the ball upon its seat and obtaining a quickclosing action thus obviating any unnecessary waste orp water and the consequent reduction in pressure.

When the main valve clapper is o pen and the ball 82 is closing the drip outlet the lowerend of the lever 8l is adapted to rest upon the ball thereby addingv to the weight oi the latter the weight of the counterweight Operation. In the event of the air pressure in the valve chamberbeing reduced belowa predetermined point by the opening of a sprinkler head in the pipe line (not'shown) communicating with thedischarge opening 3, the pressure of the water upon themain valve clapper 25 throws the latter off seat and the clapper under the iniiuence of the countereweight 35 is caused to assume and' maintain the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure l, and kcommunication is established between the inlet openingr 2 and the outlet. f

In the event of a slight lowering of the air pressure in the valve chamber and 'the main valve clapper 25 opens to an extent not sufficient to overthrow the counterweight the water admitted to the .valve chamber will be discharged through tlref drip outlet 9 when the main valve Clapper again becomes seated. y

What l claim is as follows: f

1. In a dry pipe valve, the veombination with a pivoted arm for carrying` the valve and the valve carried thereby, ot a counterweight movable relatively to the carrying arm. and means pivotallv connecting the eounterweight to' they said carrying means whereby the opening of the valve is aecelerated.

2.- ln a dry pipe valve of the type described, the combination with a p'ivoted arm :for carrying the main valve having a sub? stantially semi-circular rest trame disposed with its center above the pivot and slightly towards the free end of the arm; a Counterweight adapted to be received inthe rest frame; a link having the counterweight pivotally carried at one end and the op'po# site end being pivoted to the arm at a point between the pivot of the arm and the center of the rest frame and oit-centered rela tively thereto; and means upon the armior limiting the movement of the link-and coun ter'weight relatively tothe rest tram-ei 3. In a dry .pipe valve of the type described, the combination with a pivote'd arm for carrying the'main valve having a substantially semi-circular rest frame disposed with its center above the pivot and 'slightly towards the free end oil the arm; a coiinten weight adapted to be received in the rest frame; a link hav-ing the counteiwveight*- l otally carried at one end'a'nd the opposite end vbeing,- pivoted to the arm yat ra' pointk b tweenV the pivot of the arm and the centre of the rest frame off-centered relatively thereto; means upon the arm for limiting the movement of the link and the counten weight relativelyto the rest frame, and

ymeansy for returning the counterweight to frame; a link having the connterweight pivotally carried at one end and the opposite endbeing pivoted to the rocker arm'at a* point between the pivot of the rocker arm and the centre of the rest frame and off-centered relatively thereto; and a rigid lugnpon the rocker arm` for limiting the movement of the' link and connterweight relatively to the rest frame.

5. In a'dry pipe valve of the type de scribed, a pivoted rocker arm for earryin i the main valve clapper having' a substanti y ally#semi-circular rest frame disposed with its centreabove the pivot and slightly towards the free endo'f the arm a countern weight adapted to be received in the rest frame; a link having the counterweig'ht carrie'd atrone end andl the'opposite end being pivoted to the rocker arm at a point between `the 'pivot of the rocker arm and the centre of the rest Jframe and off-centered relatively thereto; and means upon the rocker arm for limiting; the movement of the link Aand counter-weight relatively to the. rest frame, and means' for limiting movement of the rocker arm.

6. .In a dry pipe valve of the type described comprising a valve vcase having` an inlet with valve seat and an outlet.l of an arm, a clapper carried by the arm in posi tion to register `withy the valve seat, one end of the arm being` odset in the form of a hub; means pivoting; the offset endof the arm at a point at one side of the valve seat; a link pi'voted at one endto the arm; a counterweight carried by the opposite end of the link and means wherebythe' inertia of the counterweight is utilized to accelerate the opening of thisvalve.

7.*In a drypipe valve of the type de` scribed comprising a valve case having.,r an inlet with valve seat and` an outlet, of ran arm, a clapper carried by the arm in position to register with the valve seat, one end of the arm being offset in the form of a hub; means pivoting the offset end or the arm at a point at one side of the valve seat; a link pivoted at one end to the arm; a counterweight carried. by the opposite end of the link; and means carried by the arm and adapted to be engaged by the link when the clapper is moved to open position.

8. lna dry pipe valve of the type described comprising a valve case having an inlet with a valve seat and an outlet, of an arm, a clapper carried by the arm in position to register with the valve seat7 one end of the arm being oli-set in the toi-m of a hub; the valve casing having an integral stop at one side of the seat; means pivoting the arm at a point between said stop and valve-seat; a link pivoted at one end to the arm; a connterweight carried by the Opposite end oit the link; means carriedy by the arm and adaptedl to be engaged by the oounterweight when the valve is moved to closed position; and means whereby the inertia ot the eounterweight is utilized to accelerate the opening of the valve, said last mentioned means being adapted to engage and be stalled by the stop.

9. ln a dry pipel valve of the type described comprising a valve case having an inlet with a valve seat and an outlet, of an arm, a clapper carried by the arm in position to register with the valve seat, one end ot the arm being off-set in the form of a hub; the valve easing having an integra-l stop at one side oi: the seat; means pivoting the arm at a point between the said stop and valve-seat; and the said having a lug adapted to engage and be stopped by the said stop; a link pivoted at one end to the arm; a eounterweight carried by the opposite end of the link; and means carried by the arm and adapted to be engaged by the oounterweight when the valve is moved to closed position.

10. ln-'a dry pipe valve of the type described eomprising a valve case having an inlet with a valve seat,v and an outlet, of an arm, elapper carried by the arm in position to register with the valve seat, one end of the arm being offset in the form of a hub; means pivoting the offset end of the arm at a point to one side of the valve seat; the valve casing having an integral stop contiguous to the pivot of the arm; a link pivoted at one end to the arm; a counterweight carried by the opposite end of the link; a rest-frame carried by the arm; and a lug carried by the arm and adapted to be engaged by the link when the elapper is moved to open position whereb the inertia of the counter-weight is utilize to accelerate the opening of the valve.

11. In a dry pipe valve of the type described comprising a valve ease `having an inlet with a valve seat and an outlet of an arm, a elapper carried by the arm in posi tionr to register with e valve seat, one end oit the arm being` olset in the form of a hub; means pivoting the oiiset end of the arm at. a point to one side ot the said valve seat; the valve casing having an integral stop contiguous to the pivot ot' the arm 5v a link pivoted at one end to the arm; a counterweivht carried ly the opposite en'd of the link; a. rest trame carried by the arm and adapted to be engaged by the eounterweight when the valve is moved to closed position to employ the pressure in the closing ot the valve, the said rest trame consisting of a substantially semi-circular member; means carried by the arm and adapted to be moved by the eounterweight when the clapper is moved to open position whereby the inertia of the counterwei ght is utilized to accelerate the opening oit the valve, and means tor coacting with the rest trame for retaining the same and holding the valve in open position.

l2. In a dry pipe valve ot the type described comprisinga valve case having an inlet with a valve seat and an outlet, of an arm.) a clapper carried by the arm in posi tion to register with the valve seat one end ot ythe arm being offset in the form ot a hub; means pivoting the olfset end oit' the arm at a point to one side of the said valve seat; the valve easing having an integral stop contiguous to the pivot ot the arm; a link pivoted at one endto the arm near the base of the lug; a counterweight carried by the opposite end of the link, a rest fra-me carriedl by the arm and adapted to be engaged by the counterweight when thevalve parts are set in their normal closed position and for the purpose of employing the weight in keeping the clapper closed, the rest frame consisting oit a semi-circular member having a plurality oi' teeth on its periphery; a gravity lpawl `for engaging the teeth and retaining the valve in open position, means carried by the arm and adapted to be engaged by the counterweight when the clapper is moved to open position whereby the inertia of the counterweight is utilized to accelerate the opening of the valve.

13. In a dry pipe valve ofthe type described comprising a valve case having an inlet. with a valve seat and an outlet, ot' an arm, a elapper carried by the arm in position to register with the valve seat, one end of the arm being oiiset in the form of a hub; ieans pivoting the offset end of the arm at a point to one side of the said valve seat; the valve casing having an integral stop contiguous to the pivot of the arm; a link pivoted at one end to the arm; a counterweight carried by the opposite end of the link; means carried by the armk and adapted to be engaged by the counterweight when.' the` clapper is moved to open position whereby the inertia of the counterweight is utilized to accelerate the opening of the valve; rest frame carried by the arm and adapted to be engaged by the counterweight when the valve parts are set in their normal closed position and for the purpose of employing the weight in keeping the clapper closed `the said rest frame consisting of a semi-circular member having a plurality of teeth on its periphery; a gravity tension pawl with its engaging tooth upon its underside, such pawl being pivoted in the case with its pivot point in substantially the center line o'l the mass of the pawl.

14. In a dry pipe valve, the combination with a pivoted valve carrier, and the valve carried thereby, of a counterweight mounted upon and movable relatively to the carrier,

means on the valve carrier for carrying the counterweight', and a manually operated device upon the counterweightcarrying means constructed and arranged to exert a pull upon the counterweight for the purpose of returning the counterweight to normal position.

15. In a dry pipe valve of the type described, the combination with a valve casing, a valve clapper, aroclrer arm pivoted at one end in the casing adjacent the periphery of the clapper and constructed and arranged to carry the same substantially midway its length, said arm being comparatively wide and extending from its point of fulcrum parallel to and diametrically across the top of the clapper7 means effecting a loose connection between the arm and clapper, and means for limiting relative movement therebetween, said last mentioned means consisting of a transverse rib upon the underside of the arm adjacent its point of fulcrum and a downward projection upon the free end of the arm.

16. In a dry pipe valve of the type desion pawl having a substantially straight body and an engaging lip upon its underside, such pawl being counterweighted at its free end and pivoted in the casing with its pivot point in substantially the center line ot the body of the pawl, said pawl being constructed and arranged to engage the said teeth of the member for the purpose of preventing the valve clapper from returning to its seat when raised.

17. In a dry pipe valve of the type described, the combination with the valve casn ing having an inlet and outlet and a drip outlet and a main valve clapper movable to and from the said inlet for the purpose of controlling the same; of a gravity check valve controlling the said drip outlet, said check valve consisting of a valve seat'7 a gravity valvular member tulcrumed in close proximity to the valve seat, and a lever ful- Crumed in close proximity to its upper end and counterweighted at its lower end the upper end of said lever being normally in bearing relation with the underside of the main valve clapper and the lower end being in operative relation with the said valvular member and adapted to maintain the latter in open position when the main valve is in closed position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. MEADOWCRUFT.

Witnesses:

GORDON G. Cooxn, F. HUBERMAN. ,A n 

